All eyes on Chirac as job law gets green light

FRANCE'S Constitutional Council yesterday signed off on a contested employment law that has sparked massive protests, leaving President Jacques Chirac with the tough decision of what to do next.

Mr Chirac can either promulgate the law championed by his prime minister - at the risk of further strikes and demonstrations - or seek a negotiated solution, perhaps by sending the law back to parliament or by proposing modifications.

Rarely had a decision by the council, which rules on the constitutionality of French laws, been so awaited.

The student and union-led protest movement has plunged the government into crisis, and a decision to strike it down would have offered a way out.

Politicians in Mr Chirac's governing majority said they expected him to promulgate the law quickly - a decision likely to further infuriate protesters.

To soften the anger, Mr Chirac may offer talks with union leaders or appoint a mediator to deal with their concerns.

The law's most contested part is a new job contract that provides for a two-year trial period for people under 26, during which time they can be fired for no reason.

The government argues this will make employers more likely to hire young people and will help cut youth unemployment.

The socialists argue the law is unconstitutional because it treats young people differently.

They also say the two-year trial period is unjust and that it violates international labour codes.

Swelling protests have plunged the government into crisis, split Mr Chirac's conservative majority and possibly killed Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin's chances of running for the presidency next year.

Government ministers fear the crisis is hurting France's image abroad.

Trade Minister Christine Lagarde, who embarks on an eight-day visit to the United States next week, complained of "excessive" foreign media coverage of the demonstrations, which have repeatedly ended in violent clashes between youths and riot police.

Protests continued yesterday. Police used tear gas to dislodge some 300-400 students who blocked tracks and traffic at a railway station in Marseille, France's second-largest city.

Students also blocked or slowed road traffic during the morning rush hour, causing tailbacks in or around Nantes, Rennes, Lille and Aix-en-Provence, and briefly blocked a Paris beltway, authorities said.